Commission on AIDS resumes after being deactivated during Bolsonaro’s Government

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On Thursday (April 4), the Ministry of Health announced the reactivation of the National Commission on HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis, Viral Hepatitis and STIs (Cnaids) . The department had been deactivated in 2019, by presidential decree of then-president Jair Bolsonaro, a decision a decision that faced significant opposition at the time.

Formed by a group of 35 representatives from civil society, Cnaids is a commission aimed at creating and strengthening public policies in healthcare area within the scope of the Unified Health System (SUS). This revival is part of the ‘Healthy Brazil’ initiative, aiming to reinstate public policies that have been previously neglected or discontinued.

Many were the contributions of Cnaids; notably, as reported by O Globo, its involvement in decision-making regarding the breaking of antiretroviral patents and the prohibition of requiring HIV antibody tests for civil service and military career applications. Additionally, it also influenced the creation of a commission for the development of an HIV vaccine.

“Reactivating the CNAIDS is a crucial measure in the pursuit of a healthy and equal society where everyone has access to the necessary healthcare to live with dignity,”, Minister of Health Nísia Trindade emphasized in a video shared on social media.

The Federal Council of Psychology (CFP) joins as a permanent member

With the resumption, a new development is that the Federal Council of Psychology (CFP) will now be part of the Commission as a permanent member. The invitation was issued by the Secretariat of Health Surveillance and Environment (SVSA), a division of the Ministry of Health. In a text on the CFP website, council member and incumbent, Roberto Chateaubriand, commented on the importance of the council’s role in Cnaids

“The involvement of the Federal Council of Psychology in Cnaids, coupled with the engagement of psychologists in the provided services, can significantly enhance the resolution of major challenges within municipal, state, and federal public health services”.

The counselor emphasizes that the participation of the Federal Council of Psychology in Cnaids demonstrates the appreciation of Psychology in the fight against diseases and in raising awareness about them.

Restructuring in 2019

In 2019, President Jair Bolsonaro issued a presidential decree that restructured Cnaids to include additional areas, thereby altering the strategy and methods used to combat diseases. Consequently, the commission was rebranded as the Department of Chronic Conditions and Sexually Transmitted Infections, which demoted the original focus to merely a coordination role.

Besides the then-president, the ministers Paulo Guedes (Economy) and Luiz Henrique Mandetta (Health) had also signed the decree at the time. The diseases added to the department were tuberculosis and leprosy, which did not fall under the category of sexually transmitted infections.